Unpaid internships keep out those who don't have the luxury of financial
support and a concern has to be that they are taking paid jobs, out of
the market. That makes it extremely difficult for those starting out in
a career and seems incredibly unfair for those without the resources to
take lengthy unpaid positions. It stifles social mobility, helps
perpetuate a closed shop and limits the talent pool you're trying to tap
into. Ironic for organisations that often have inclusion as part of
their core mission and for a sector that regularly scratches it head
about engagement across all socio economic groups.
Personally, if an organisation is trying to cut costs by employing cheap
labour, throw them on the fire. A gnarly old revo might say it's the
thin edge of class warfare but even the jackboot Tories are suspicious
of it:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/30/unpaid-internships-face-ban-damian-hinds-uk-employment-minister
So surely it's about giving everyone fair access, a fair chance and a
fair crack at the whip. In return an organisation widens its net of
opportunity and will most likely get a better range of candidates.
Unpaid internships deprive organisations of tapping into the widest
talent pool.
Appreciate it might /feel/ like a matter of intention – if the
organisation intends to give its interns valuable experience to aid them
in the job market, an unpaid internship might feel more justified. But
then why not make formalise it a bit more and make it an apprenticeship?
--
Best
--
Brian Healy
Director, Tincan
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1654 702413
Mob: +44 (0)7870 604724
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tw: http://twitter.com/#!/Tincanpippip
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